Palmetto starts to shape medical marijuana rules for city

Seemingly confident of a November referendum to legalize medical marijuana passing in the state of Florida, the city of Palmetto is seeking to restrict where a dispensary can be located within the city and establish governing rules ahead of time.

PALMETTO -- Seemingly confident of a November referendum to legalize medical marijuana passing in the state of Florida, the city of Palmetto is seeking to restrict where a dispensary can be located within the city and establish governing rules ahead of time.

The new draft ordinance indicates: “given the potential impact on the surrounding areas, that medical marijuana dispensaries, if allowed by law, should be conditional use, permitted in limited areas of the city.”

The draft ordinance outlines rules the city would enforce if such a facility sought to locate in Palmetto. They include a no-loitering clause, no drive-through service and limits business hours from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Due to time restrictions placed on Monday’s city commission workshop, officials pushed discussion of the ordinance to a later date.

Ward 1 Commissioner Charles Smith expressed opposition to discussing the ordinance until knowing if the law passes in November, but acknowledged: “I don’t think it’s not going to pass.”

The ordinance is expected to move forward to the city’s next workshop agenda for discussion.